PDF ADDICTED - BUT NOT ALONE

Indiana Workforce Recovery: Yearlong Series

ADDICTED ? BUT NOT ALONE

Bowen Center On Call to Help

By Symone C. Skrzycki

"No man is an island ..."

Traumatic life experiences can take place anywhere. At any time. To anyone.

In some instances, genetic predispositions make people more vulnerable to drug addiction.

What happens when one or both scenarios lead to destructive behavior impacting all facets of life ? including the workplace?

Bowen Center, a non-profit community mental health care services provider, partners with employers on employee assistance programs (EAPs). In 2018, it established an opioid treatment program in Fort Wayne called the Bowen Recovery Center (BRC).

"Retention is a very big deal. Valued employees can remain valued employees as long as they're able to get health care for what is a chronic, but treatable illness," asserts Dr. Carolyn Greer, BRC medical director.

Bowen's philosophy is to treat the entire person. "In mental health or in psychiatry, there was always a division between mental health and addiction recovery," Greer explains. "It's sort of like (if the same mentality was applied) in internal medicine. `I only take care of high blood pressure, but I don't take care of diabetes.' You would never see that. That doesn't make any sense. "People with high blood pressure often also have diabetes. Well, people with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety often also have a substance use disorder." Reelcraft Industries, based in Columbia City, is a global

manufacturer of hose, cord and cable reels. "The biggest thing is understanding there's a partnership there,"

declares director of human resources Robin Longenbaugh. "Bowen Center is there as a resource to help the total employee. It's not just about the work they perform while they're here during their shift. It's about the employee as a whole. As a human being. Bowen Center has a large commitment to that. With their help, we're able to touch people and make them the best version of themselves they can be."

Intervening and assessing The city of Warsaw has 200 full-time employees. It conducts a

variety of workshops with Bowen. "I arranged to have Bowen Center come in to do a three-part

series specifically geared toward police and fire (staff) to recognize the stressors in their job and how that can translate going back home for their family members too. I wanted to make sure our police and fire (personnel) knew that there are resources out there for them," reveals human resources director Jennifer Whitaker.

Other training events are designed for department leaders and front-line supervisors to help them cope with daily stress and recognize triggers with subordinates.

In addition, employees and their family members have access to four free counseling visits.

"They can go in and talk to Bowen about anything and everything," Whitaker points out. "It could be drug abuse. Stress.

Bowen Center

? Largest community mental health center in Indiana ? Based in Warsaw, it covers 21 counties in northern Indiana ? Provides outpatient, inpatient, home-based, community,

employee assistance and student assistance programs

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What's impressive is that if you're not comfortable going to Warsaw because you're fearful that somebody may find out, you can go anywhere in the state."

Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) began collaborating with the Bowen Center in 2006. It includes approximately 4,000 employees, 30,000 students and 50 buildings.

"They'll go out to a building and work with students and teachers," comments Ashley Pitzen-Walker, manager of compensation and benefits.

"If a Bowen person needs to be in a building or on-site, we'll make that happen. Because life happens."

Bowen's student assistance program at FWCS encompasses youth life skills, expectant mothers, homeless grants and drugs/alcohol.

"Students are a big part of not only the school district but our community as well. They're going to be the future leaders of our community and we want them to be happy and healthy," Pitzen-Walker stresses.

Discretion, flexibility

The stigma associated with mental illness and substance misuse often serves as a deterrent to seeking treatment.

Reelcraft, which has a global workforce of approximately 260, tries to allay those fears.

"I'm very open with my employees that if you have a problem and you come to me, we'll get you help," Longenbaugh relays. "It won't affect your job. Just come tell us. Allow us to help you."

She recalls how two workers ? within two months of one another ? told her they were suicidal. Longenbaugh reached out to Bowen.

A few months later, "The first gentleman came to my office and literally broke down in tears, telling me how much he appreciated me stopping what I was doing to get him help. (Employees who utilize the EAP) tell us, `You guys really care about your employees.' That's true. And I'm glad they see that."

Pitzen-Walker highlights confidentiality. Each month, she receives a report from Bowen containing the number of employees taking advantage of its services.

"I don't ever see an employee's name. I don't ever see a family name. It's completely confidential unless somebody tells me they're going," she remarks. "So, it encourages all of our employees with behavioral, personal or emotional problems to seek help and know that they're not going to be penalized for that or judged. Nobody's going to know they're going."

Whitaker has spent more than 20 years in human resources. She's observed a shift in perceptions about mental health.

"There's all sorts of moving pieces in their (employees') lives. We as an employer

The Bowen Center provides a breadth of services. Educating employers on treatment options is a vital community awareness strategy.

and ? I believe other employers ? are now maybe trying to tailor some of our benefits to give more of that work-life balance. Many of the homes are dual-income providers and if our employees want to take a little bit of time off to go to a soccer game (for example), we've encouraged the comp time.

"When department heads and supervisors are hired, I always remind them

that their life is outside and it's not just about this place. We appreciate everything you do, but you have to stay strong for your family."

Detecting the problem Theft and poor performance are tell-tale

signs of substance abuse. Reelcraft has partnered with Bowen

primarily on alcohol-related issues. There

July/August 2019 ? BizVoice/Indiana Chamber

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also have been a few methamphetamine-related cases. Warning signs included absenteeism, nearly falling asleep while standing up and workplace injury.

Similarly, Greer cites behavioral changes. "I get a lot of referrals in my outpatient office from employers and often it's, `I've been a loyal employee for 30 years. (But) I had something traumatic happen in my life ? whether it be a divorce, an illness in the family, an injury where I couldn't work. Something that's a financial concern. Something happened and I'm not myself anymore.' " BRC administers methadone as a medication to treat opioid use disorders. Another hallmark is the range of services. It offers resources ranging from employment, insurance and housing to food and transportation. "Sometimes in early recovery, that's what you need," Greer comments. "You need to be seen every day. You need to have access to more than just medications. This is all out-patient treatment. We see people every day. Even on Saturdays and Sundays. We're seeing people seven days a week."

Stimulants versus opioids When asked what substances are most prevalent in the region,

Greer identifies a growing trend. "Up until about a year ago, it was very heavy on opioids, prescription

pills and then heroin and fentanyl. We've seen a gigantic uptick in stimulants ? prescription stimulants or methamphetamine. I think that

reflects the fact that we have treated opioid use disorders so effectively. It also reflects the fear of using heroin, because heroin turns into fentanyl and fentanyl is deadly. People are scared of it ? and they should be."

In Allen County, for example, Greer notes that ? over the last three quarters ? there have been more drug poisonings with methamphetamines than fentanyl and heroin.

"Methamphetamines are easier to get," she divulges. "They're more pure. They're more potent. They're very inexpensive now.

"The workplace actually sort of lends itself a little bit more to a stimulant ? meaning, `I can work harder. I can work longer.' We're struggling with that because misuse of stimulants sometimes results in aggressive behavior. Unpredictable behavior."

Whitaker praises the Bowen team. "Bowen's doing a great job. The more we continue to get the word out that this is available, numbers (of people seeking help) can only increase. And that makes for a better environment for everyone." Tess Ottenweller is director of addiction recovery and family services at the Bowen Center. "There's one really important piece about Bowen Recovery Center that I want to make sure is out there and that's the rapid access," she emphasizes. "One of the things we've learned is that when people need help, they need help now! Bowen Recovery Center has walk-in access for new patients Monday through Friday. Greer passionately concurs: "If you're ready, you're ready. We've got to help you."

RESOURCES: Tess Ottenweller and Dr. Carolyn Greer, Bowen Center and Bowen Recovery Center, at | Jennifer Whitaker, city of Warsaw, at warsaw. | Ashley Pitzen-Walker, Fort Wayne Community Schools, at fwcs.k12.in.us | Robin Longenbaugh, Reelcraft Industries, at

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